xx, 764 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : 24 cm

Drawing from previously unpublished material and numerous interviews, a former Member of Parliament chronicles the life of the longest-serving British Prime Minister in the twentieth century and the only woman to ever hold the office

"A Continuum book"--Title page verso

Includes bibliographical references (pages 693-747) and index

The early years -- The War, grammar school, and fighting her headmistress -- Oxford, boyfriends, and political ambition -- First steps in politics -- Marriage, motherhood, and Finchley -- First years in Parliament, 1959-1964 -- Front-bench opposition -- Secretary of State for Education -- Health on the ropes -- Winning the leadership -- Leader of the Opposition : a fragile beginning -- Three frustrating years -- Last lap to the election -- The final ascent to No. 10 -- First moves as Prime Minister -- The learning curve -- First steps in foreign affairs -- Storm clouds on the economy and in the Cabinet -- The Falklands War I : the prelude -- The Falklands War II : into the fighting -- The Falklands War III : victory -- After the Falklands -- Stumbling into the second term -- Terrorism, Ireland, and Hong Kong -- Battling for Britain in Saudi Arabia -- Unions and miners -- Strengthening the special relationship with Ronald Reagan -- Starting to win the Cold War -- Rumblings of discontent -- Into the third term -- Trouble with Nigel Lawson -- Swinging towards Euroscepticism -- Boiling over on Europe -- Exit the Chancellor, enter the stalking horse -- Countdown to the coup -- End game -- Exit -- The agony after the fall -- Snapshots of her retirement years

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